With a new season on the way, new rules and changes are set to take effect in Edmonton.
From tree pruning to transit, you may want to stay up to date on anything that could affect you in the city.
Here are some new rules and changes you can expect in Edmonton this fall.
Bill 25
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Sweeping new restrictions on what Alberta schools can display and how teachers approach classroom discussions are set to take effect this fall.
An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, also known as Bill 25, was introduced by the Alberta government on March 31 and was passed by the legislature in May.
The bill aims to strengthen expectations around neutrality, impartiality and presenting balanced perspectives in the classroom. It will also restrict which flags can be flown at schools across the province. Under the new rules, schools will only be allowed to display the Canadian and Alberta flags.
However, the province says exemptions may be created for certain flags that reflect Alberta’s heritage and history, school culture, or temporary school activities and ceremonies.
The Alberta government says the changes will help ensure students are exposed to a range of perspectives while keeping education programming neutral.
Most of the amendments in Bill 25 are set to come into effect on Sept. 1, 2026.
Elm Tree Pruning ban is lifted
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To help prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease, healthy elm trees can only be pruned between Oct. 1 and March 31.
If you notice dead branches on an elm tree during the summer, the City says to wait until the pruning ban is lifted in October before removing them.
Dutch elm disease is a deadly fungal disease that can affect any elm tree. Since it was introduced from Europe around 1930, it has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America.
The disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi, which can be carried by elm bark beetles. Pruning is prohibited during the warmer months because the beetles are more active and can spread the disease between trees.
The seasonal ban is both a City of Edmonton bylaw and a province-wide regulation.
Dutch elm disease was first confirmed in Edmonton in 2024. Since then, 16 cases have been identified in the city.
Bill 11
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Changes to how private and government-sponsored health benefit plans work together in Alberta are set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2026.
Bill 11, also known as the Health Statutes Amendment Act, includes several changes to how health coverage is coordinated in the province.
Among the changes is allowing doctors to work in both the publicly funded system and the private-pay market. Physicians designated as “flexibly participating” will be able to provide publicly insured services while also charging patients for non-plan services.
The legislation will also allow private insurance plans to cover medically necessary care and create new categories of non-insured hospital services and enhanced goods and services that patients can be billed for.
Edmonton Transit Service
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Starting Aug. 30, several bus routes, including school special routes, will see service adjustments to reflect Edmonton Transit Service’s (ETS) typical fall ridership patterns.
Several northside school special routes will change this fall following the opening of St. Carlo Acutis Catholic High School and due to ongoing construction on 132 Avenue near Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School. The changes provide more direct service to schools along 132 Avenue from growing neighbourhoods in north Edmonton.
Other changes will be coming to Routes 7, 8, 9 and 114, Route 2 Owl, Route 150X, and other routes in the fall.
Check out the ETS website for more information specific to your route.